How to ensure the tightness of Oil Pipe Screws after installation?

It is critical to ensure the sealing of oil pipe screws after installation, especially in high pressure or high temperature environments. Poor sealing may cause leakage, system failure, and even safety accidents. Here are some methods and steps to ensure the sealing of oil pipe screws after installation:

Choose the right sealing material

O-rings and washers: Using suitable sealing materials, such as O-rings or washers, at bolted joints can effectively improve the sealing. These materials are usually made of rubber, fluororubber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc., which can withstand the corrosiveness of oil products and temperature changes.

Sealants: For some special applications, the use of sealants (such as liquid sealants) applied to the threads can enhance the sealing effect of bolted joints. This type of sealant is usually used in high pressure environments and can fill small gaps.

High temperature materials: In high temperature environments, it is crucial to choose high temperature resistant sealing materials (such as metal seals or high temperature rubber) to ensure that the sealing materials do not fail due to excessive temperature.

Ensure the correct torque of the bolts

Torque control: When installing oil pipe bolts, a torque wrench must be used to ensure that the tightening force of the bolts reaches the specified torque value. Overtightening may cause thread damage, while over-loosening may cause poor sealing.
Progressive tightening: For oil pipe systems with multiple points of connection, cross tightening can be used. Loosen first and then tighten, apply force evenly, and gradually increase force to ensure that each bolt is under uniform pressure to avoid leakage caused by uneven local force.
Clean threads and sealing surfaces
Cleaning work: Before installation, the threads and sealing surfaces of the oil pipe bolts must be cleaned to remove any impurities such as oil, dust, and metal chips. Impurities may affect the fit of the sealing material and cause poor sealing.

Remove aged sealing materials: If the previously used sealing materials are aged or damaged, they must be thoroughly removed to avoid affecting the effect of the new sealing materials.
Use the right thread type
Sealing thread design: Select the right thread type (such as tapered thread, flat thread, etc.) to increase the sealing effect. Tapered threads (such as NPT threads) are often used in oil pipe systems to provide better sealing because they can self-seal through the shape of the thread itself.
Surface treatment: The surface of the thread should be properly treated, such as polishing or coating, to ensure the accuracy of the threaded connection to increase the sealing effect of the sealing material.
Use high-quality oil pipe bolts
Bolt quality: Choose high-quality oil pipe bolts that meet the standards and avoid using inferior bolts. High-quality bolts can provide better surface finish and dimensional accuracy to ensure sealing performance.
Corrosion resistance and pressure resistance: According to the properties of the oil and the working environment of the pipeline system, choose corrosion-resistant and pressure-resistant bolt materials, such as stainless steel, alloy steel, etc.
Check the integrity of bolts and connecting parts
Bolt inspection: Before installation, check whether the oil pipe bolts have cracks, deformation, rust and other problems. Damaged bolts cannot be used for installation to avoid affecting the sealing.
Connection surface inspection: Check whether the contact surface of the oil pipe connection parts is flat and whether there are any defects. Uneven connection surfaces may cause the sealing material to not fit tightly, resulting in leakage.
Pressure test and leak detection
Air tightness test: After installation, a pressure test (such as air tightness test or water pressure test) should be performed to check whether there is leakage at the oil pipe connection. During the test, gradually increase the pressure to the system working pressure to ensure that there is no leakage at the bolt connection.
Leak detection: Use oil leak detection fluid or electronic leak detector to detect the oil pipe system, especially in high-pressure environments, to ensure that there are no tiny leaks.
Regular inspection and maintenance
Regular inspection: Even if the sealing is guaranteed after installation, the oil pipe bolts need to be checked regularly. Especially in high-temperature, high-pressure, and frequent vibration working environments, the bolts may loosen or be damaged, resulting in reduced sealing.
Maintenance and replacement: If the bolt seal fails or leaks, the bolts and sealing materials should be replaced immediately, and other components of the oil pipe system should be checked to ensure the safety and stability of the system.
Use professional installation tools
Professional tools: Using professional tools such as torque wrenches, sealant application tools, thread cutting tools, etc. can ensure the accuracy and quality of the oil pipe bolt installation, thereby improving the sealing effect.
Train operators: Ensure that the installers understand the correct installation process and sealing requirements to avoid sealing problems caused by improper operation.

Ensuring the sealing of the oil pipe bolts after installation involves multiple links such as correct sealing material selection, bolt installation process, torque control, sealing surface treatment, and pressure testing. Through these methods and steps, the sealing performance of the oil pipe bolts can be effectively improved, and leakage of the oil pipe system can be prevented, thereby ensuring the stability, safety and long-term operational reliability of the system.